These are not a Scam. My son was invited to go his Freshman year in college. It is not about scouting or recruitment. None of the information even talked about that. It is about the experience. I told him he could go if he raised most the money. I thought it would be a good experience. Go to another country. He is minoring in Spanish in college and thought going to a culture that spoke Spanish would be a good experience.
He chose not to go. He had other priorities for his money.
Do not go if you expect to be scouted or recruited by colleges as a result. If you do you will be sorely disappointed. If you can afford it as a vacation then go otherwise don't.